Short Eared Owl - King's Meads, Hertford, Hertfordshire

A Short Eared Owl was located on King's Meads, Hertford before Christmas 2020. Initially it proved elusive but gradually became more reliable and I spent a number of late afternoons photographing it during Lockdown. It stayed until early February but then moved on with the onset of a particularly cold spell. An unusual bird for this location though the habit is good for them. A good number of birders were able to observe it as well as a lot of locals.

These are just a few of the many pictures taken. On one afternoon it came out early and perched up in a small tree, staying for at least 20 minutes and was not worried about me even though I was only about 30m away. The first picture below sees it diving unsuccessfully for a Vole. The second on one of its hunting forays and the third taking off from a small bush.